Markauskas said he would sign the relevant decree on Thursday after the Chief Official Ethics Commission on Wednesday recommended him to decide on Kuprys' suitability for the position amid the continued conflict of interests in connection to lease of state lend.

"I have decided to dismiss him (Kuprys) and hope to sign the decree today. I do not know yet who will head the service on temporary basis, with the competition for the new chief to be announced shortly," Markauskas told BNS.

The minister expressed hope that reforms of the service and appointment of a new top executive would reduce the corruption level.

Kuprys, a farmer and the head of the National Land Service, is leasing about 55 ha of land from the state in various regions. Formation of nine land sites for rent was completed during his term as the head of the service.